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Eat & Drink in Bilbao

You want to try out the best gourmet restaurant? You’re looking for a cosy café? You’re looking forward to relishing local specialities? Or you want to turn the night into day at a cool club? Let our select choices inspire you.

Casa Rufo

A century-old institution

Those who eat at the charming Casa Rufo, steeped in over 100 years of history, almost feel as though they have stepped inside the host's lounge. The wine racks covering the walls remind you that you are indeed in a restaurant, looking forward to a delicious meal. The house wine is an excellent Rioja Crianza and the restaurant has earned its reputation for its beef cutlets, ‘txuleta de buey’. Packed with atmosphere, this is just the place for juicy grilled meats.

Garibolo

Vegetarian and vegan

This is a great address for vegetarians, vegans or anybody who wants to go without meat and animal products for a while. The Garibolo offers a different menu every week comprising vegetarian and vegan dishes. The restaurant's speciality are the vegetable dumplings. Dessert lovers can indulge in one of over 40 home-made sweets – they really are spoilt for choice here!

Brass 27

Nordic simplicity

The establishment, which combines simple Nordic style with a touch of industrial design, provides a visual contrast to other Basque restaurants. In terms of cuisine, the menu features national and international meat dishes, including the famous chargrilled kobe hamburger and grilled octopus. The children's menu also caters for the needs of smaller guests. Takeaway meals are available for those in a rush.

Victor Montes

No pintxos tour is complete without it

Pintxo hopping – the tradition of going from one bar to the next to sample as many pintxos as possible – is a favourite local pastime. And when in Bilbao, do as the Bilbaínos do! This bar is stacked with these canapés, including mushrooms, txistorra (spicy sausage), and idiazabal (smoked Basque cheese). The greatest challenge is making your mind up! Wash them down with a Rioja, white wine or cider – and the world is a perfect place. There's a dining room on the top floor, too.

Rimbombín

Fish and seafood have replaced billiards

This café, founded in 1931, was once the big venue for billiards and even hosted the Spanish championships. Over time, it has metamorphosed into a restaurant specialising in fish and seafood. Basque authors, actresses and sport stars also appreciate the delicacies here. The restaurant has preserved the charm of its very first years yet has been continuously refining its fresh, Basque cuisine ever since – including its choice cuts of meat.

Iruña

An Andalusian-style gem

Another world awaits you on the other side of the revolving door. The famous Café Iruña, steeped in over 100 years of history, is a gem of a place decorated in Andalusian style, complete with colourful Alhambra tiles. A true feast for the eyes! The term 'café' may be somewhat misleading, especially as a whole lot more than café and croissants is served up in its three rooms. Guests can also tuck into the famous pintxos, set menus and à la carte dishes.

La Terraza Del Yandiola

A cool drink on the rooftop patio

The Alhóndiga was originally a wine cellar. The building was then abandoned, with its destiny remaining ambiguous for a long time. The government then turned it into a culture and leisure centre, comprising cinema, library, restaurant and much more. In 2010, the building reopened having undergone an interior facelift by designer, Philippe Starck. The teak rooftop patio is the perfect place for a cool drink, chilling out to music before hitting the city at night.

Kafe Antzokia

Basque and cosmopolitan

Without a doubt, Kafe Antzokia is very much an institution in Bilbao, alone because it is housed inside the former San Vicente Cinema, which still creates a very theatrical backdrop today. Although the Kafe's strategy consists of promoting culture in the Basque language, it is still cosmopolitan, with international musicians often appearing on stage. With its two floors and several bars, the Kafe Antzokia is the perfect place for catching a concert.

Cotton Club

80s and 90s music

The Cotton club, named after the famous 1984 Coppola film, was opened ten years later and is very much an institution in Bilbao's nightlife scene. The club is popular with night owls between 20 and 50 years old, while the live concerts attract a thirty-something audience. The music varies depending on which DJ is at the turntable, but is primarily 80s and 90s mainstream and indie.